AA Insurance has warned homeowners of do-it-yourself shows that may inspire them to get stuck on their own renovations, but could also leave their insurance covers invalidated.
AA Insurance customer relations manager
Amelia Macandrew said homeowners who want serious renovations for their place should be aware that insurance covers are dependent on the work complying with current building laws and regulations.
“It’s pretty much in our Kiwi genes to want to attempt some DIY, but unless you’re qualified to do a job then it’s wise to hire a professional, so you can get on with the other jobs, “MacAndrew said.
The insurer has surveyed 760 Kiwi homeowners about DIY. The findings showed that while six in ten homeowners had a crack at DIY over 12 months, the majority stuck to the work they could handle — with the highest percentage most comfortable on the end of a paintbrush (75%), followed by 24% working on roofing and guttering, and 20% pursuing other outdoor-type projects like fencing, decking and landscaping. There were far fewer attempting electrical and plastering work (17% each), plumbing (16%) and tiling (8%).
Despite this, DIYers are still confident in their abilities with almost 60% rating their skills as either excellent (10%) or pretty good (46%). Meanwhile, 30% of all homeowners thought they could improve a little and 14%, a lot.
“Regardless of whether you’re cocky, confident or cautious, accidents can and do happen – as many of our survey respondents discovered,” Macandrew said. “As home-and-contents experts we’ve seen the end results of DIY disasters first-hand.”
AA Insurance put together the following tips to help avoid do-it-yourself disaster:
- Safety first – protect your ears and eyes when using power tools, and wear a mask to prevent breathing in fumes, or dust particles. Use tools properly to avoid any accidents and make sure kids and pets are at a safe distance.
- Be prepared in case something goes wrong – do you know where the power box is if you need to shut off the electricity? How about the fire extinguisher? Or clean up gear for paint spills? And is your mobile phone handy, and charged, if you need help?
- Read the instructions on tools and products – getting it right first time saves you time and money.
- Know when to get the professionals in – if you’re not qualified to do a job, such as electrical work or adding an extension, it pays to hire a professional. They can advise on legal restrictions and building consents. Remember to make sure the professional you hire, and their contractors, are also insured.
- Remember, faulty workmanship that contributes to the damage of your home may affect any resulting claim, whether you have done the work yourself or it was the home’s previous owner – so get it checked out!
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